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Using Brain Breaks to Maximize Student Performance

Miss Amy ® (Amy Otey) Author – Fitness Pro – Grammy ® Nominee THE SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA EARLY CHILDHOOD CONFERENCE

University of Virginia's College at Wise, Center for Teaching Excellence April 9, 2016

About Miss Amy Miss Amy® (Amy Otey) is an Official Advocate for the President’s Challenge Program (a program of

the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition). She encourages families to work toward earning the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award while inspiring young children to “stay fit” through her interactive Fitness Rock & RollTM program. These interactive musical shows are warmly received at schools, libraries, concerts and special events like the White House Egg Roll in 2010.

More than 20 years of professional experience in the fitness industry with accreditations in Kids & Teen Fitness, Youth/Adolescent Fitness, Yoga I, II & III, Strength Training, Pilates, Tai-Chi, Primary Aerobics, Group Exercise, Pre/Post Natal Fitness and Fitplay-Building Healthy Lifestyles for Kids.

President’s Challenge All-American in September 2010. Multi-Award Winning Performer & Grammy Nominated Recording Artist Author and leading expert on Classroom Activity Breaks/Brain Breaks

Keep Kids Fit! Classroom Activity Breaks BOOK details structured music/fitness motivation techniques

to focus students for short bouts of physical activity in the classroom setting with the goal of enhancing scholastic performance. Includes 114 cross-connection lesson plans: Science, math, literature, social studies, art and nutrition.

Session Overview Teacher Power! The Science, the student, and the success

Leading Brain Breaks Resources for teachers Q&A

TEACHER POWER

The brain is a Biological Machine and teachers are Neurodevelopmental Constructionists empowered with presenting information to students in a way that “sticks” to their unique brains.

Student

Student

Student

Student

Teachers: ‘Neurodevelopmental

Constructionists’ who present information to

students, then measure the students’

understanding of that information

through testing.

Test scores are linked with funding from outside

sources!

Brain Breaks are directed physical activities. They help kids focus…… “refocus our neural circuitry with either stimulating or quieting practices that generate increased activity in the prefrontal cortex, where problem solving and emotional regulation occur.” Dr. Lori Desautels from her recent article(1/14/16) on Classroom Management: Energy and Calm: Brain Breaks and Focused-Attention Practices on EDUTOPIA.org http://www.edutopia.org/blog/brain-breaks-focused-attention-practices-lori-desautels

2 Types of Brain Breaks: Short – under 2

minutes Can be done

seated at desk

Longer or Classroom Activity Breaks – typically 3-5 minutes Not seated at desk Chicken Dance!

When? 1. Open the Day 2. Transitions 3. Before Quiz/Test 4. Need to re-focus

Brain Break!!!!

Rise & Shine

The Science…Trending Now!

In the past few years several major reports have come out that are linking the benefits of increased physical activity increased brain function and academic performance.

Out of Balance Since the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act (2001), nearly half of school administrators (44%) reported cutting significant time from physical education and recess to increase time spent in reading and mathematics. - See more at: http://resources.iom.edu/FNB/infographic/get60minutes.html#sthash.bbgU9b7m.dpuf

But, children who are more active show greater attention and perform better on standardized tests. - See more at: http://resources.iom.edu/FNB/infographic/get60minutes.html#sthash.bbgU9b7m.dpuf

Something Magic Happens!

Three Biggies 1. The Wellness Impact: Enhancing Academic

Success Through Healthy School Environments

2. Kansas Study – Published in Education Week January 31, 2014

3. Letting Kids stand more in the classroom could help them learn – Prevent Obesity.net March 24, 2016 http://preventobesity.net/Inside-Track-March-24-16-d

The Wellness Impact: Enhancing Academic Success Through Healthy School Environments

A comprehensive overview of policy, neuroscience,

current school wellness, and recommended action steps toward positive change.

Released March 2013 by the GENYOUth Foundation, National Dairy Council (NDC), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American

School Health Association (ASHA).

#1

The Wellness Impact: Enhancing Academic Success through Healthy School Environments Copyright © 2013 www.GENYOUthFoundation.org

http://www.genyouthfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/The_Wellness_Impact_Report.pdf

Kansas Study Kansas Study – Published in Education Week January 31, 2014 http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/01/30/671959kseducationexercise_ap.html?t

kn=YWQFr%2F2MLmDI1UD6eOe4v21Gxv6xPVRE78nI&intc=es

Empirical Proof that increased physical fitness causes

better performance on math and reading exams.

The study followed the fitness of 13,000 elementary & middle school students from 152 schools in the 2011-12 school year.

#2

Kansas Study - Findings Students who met one or none of the fitness standards

scored 50.4 percent and 41.8 percent above the proficiency standards for math and reading.

For students who met the mark for all five fitness tests, scores jumped to 70.3 percent above for math 73.5 percent above the standard for reading.

5 Fitness Tests by FITNESSgram 1) PACER 2) Curl-up, 3) Trunk-lift, 4) 90 degree push-up, 5) Sit and reach

Letting Kids stand more in the classroom could help them learn

Letting Kids stand more in the classroom could help them learn - Published in Prevent Obesity.net March 23, 2016 http://preventobesity.net/Inside-Track-March-24-16-d A team at Texas A&M Ergonomics Center investigated whether standing desks had neurocognitive benefits for students. It turns out that letting kids move in the classroom helps boost attention and focus.

#3

Letting Kids stand… - Findings In a study of nearly 300 children in second through fourth grade over the course of a school year, Benden and his team found that kids in classrooms with standing desks exhibited 12 percent greater “on task” engagement when compared to kids in classrooms with the traditional seated desks. Then in 34 high school freshmen – using portable brain imaging device ( functional near infrared spectroscopy) the study team tracked changes in frontal brain function. Test results indicated that continued use of standing desks was associated with significant performance improvements in executive function and working memory capabilities. Changes in corresponding brain activation patterns were also observed. The use of standing desks improved neurocognitive function by seven percent to 14 percent, which is consistent with results from previous studies on school-based exercise programs. MORE research is planned by this group so stay tuned!

The Bottom Line

Increased physical activity improves academic

performance.

Other influential factors include nutrition and sleep.

Why are these studies important?

As the news ‘swims upstream’ it shows administrators and other stakeholders at local levels that improvements in Physical Activity IN school can positively affect test scores and possibly federal funding!

What Are You Doing in YOUR Classroom?

Brain Break Conscious Breathing

Helps focus, promotes mindfulness– takes us from Sympathetic Nervous System (fight or flight) to Parasympathetic Nervous System (receptive and

3 Dog Breath 4x4 Breath Bunny Breath

What’s in it for the Teacher?

Stress Reliever Brings brains back into active mode Offers class a physical transition Demonstrates best practices to students Gives teacher better focused students

Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School

released May 2013 National Academy of Sciences, The Institute of Medicine Advocates PE should be designated a Core Subject by DOE In School: 1. Active Transportation 2. Classroom Activity Time (Brain Breaks) 3. Physical Education 4. Recess 5. Intra - & Extramural Sports 6. After-School Programs

Get 60 Minutes: Ways for students to get the recommended amount of physical activity during the school day - Copyright © 2014 National Academy of Sciences, The Institute of

Medicine (IOM)

http://resources.iom.edu/FNB/infographic/get60minutes.html

Get 60 Minutes: Ways for students to get the recommended amount of physical activity during the school day - Copyright © 2014 National Academy of Sciences, The Institute of

Medicine (IOM)

http://resources.iom.edu/FNB/infographic/get60minutes.html

This is it!

Write BBs into your SGO’s Wellness Committee’s will be looking for quantitative &

qualitative data. Quantitative: Students participated in one 3 minute physical activity break at 10:00am Qualitative: During the physical activity break Susie demonstrated 1) Maximum

effort 2)average effort 3) minimum effort of participation Teacher noted that Susie was 1) more attentive 2)no change in

attentiveness 3) decreased attentiveness for the lesson after activity break

Keep Kids Fit! MAGiC PONY – Track #3 page 31 Copyright © 2010 Amy Skelton Otey & Alexander V. Otey TEACHING THEMES: Active, Animals & Insects, Health & Fitness, Independence, Fairytales & Stories, Character & Encouragement ~~~~~ CLASSROOM ACTIVITY BREAK How does their pony move? Is it a trot, a walk or a gallop? Can they do that movement throughout the whole song? Teach

them the pony dance. Step to the side then stomp, stomp, stomp. That would be step R, stomp L,R,L Then step L, stomp R,L,R. Pony dance would be done in-place. *GALLOP* or trot could be done in a group circle. For variation, change direction the circle is moving mid-way through song. At the end of the song, steer your ponies back to the stable. When you arrive drop to the floor, put all hooves in the air and shake them out. Make horsey sounds until breathing returns to normal.

BeneFIT™: Consistent movement at this 130 beats per minute pace is a high intensity cardio workout for four minutes. Make

sure to take a breathing break after to center and return to normal heart rate. Song Length is 4:03 minutes. General Suggestions for Use: Ask the children to complete this sentence: “If I had a Magic Pony, I would go to _____?” Why did they choose that place? What does their pony look like?

CROSS CONNECTION LESSON PLANS : book includes Literature, Art & SS, Science, Math, Nutrition

Literature Connection (books): Social Studies / Art Connection: Science Connection:

Pre-K – Grade 2 Mister Seahorse – Eric Carle

Grades 3-5

Off Like The Wind!: The First Ride of the Pony Express – Michael P. Spradlin

Pre-K – Grade 2

Use block center or manipulatives to create a pony express trail. Take turns letting students navigate trail from start to finish. Introduce US map of states and discuss which states the Pony Express traveled through.

Grades 3-5

While studying the history of the United States, color in states that Pony Express traveled through from California to Missouri. Discuss why the Pony Express was important. What forms of delivery and communication have taken its place? What would a person living in Western times have thought about texting and cell phones?

Pre-K – Grade 2 Study farm animals and farm animal babies. Match babies with mothers and fathers using classroom manipulatives or online worksheets.

Grades 3-5

Study farm animals and make animals from clay or play dough. Experiment with balancing on clay legs and toothpick legs. Which animals move on two legs? Which move on four legs?

Activity Break!!!!

Magic Pony

Your Takeaway

Physical Activity Boosts Academic

Performance!

ONLINE TOOLS FOR TEACHERS

• Go Noodle www.gonoodle.com Active Academics

www.activeacademics.org

Just A Minute Activity Breaks www.jamschoolprogram.com

Handout 3-2-1 BRAIN BREAKS Using Brain Breaks to Maximize Student Performance

THE SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA EARLY CHILDHOOD CONFERENCE University of Virginia's College at Wise, Center for Teaching Excellence April 9, 2016

Presenter: Amy Otey - Author, Educator, Fitness Pro and Grammy ®Nominee

3 "DO NOW" TIPS FOR CLASSROOM TEACHERS: 1. Add a 5 minute classroom activity break to your teaching plan Pre-K - 5th - do twice a day 6th - 12th - do once a day 2. Choose your playlist: Music is a great motivating tool for activity breaks - choose one song to highlight for each week 3. Incorporate Activity Breaks into your SGO's i.e.: Student's ability to focus on lesson plan after activity break increased/ decreased/ no

change. Note: depending upon your school's guidelines you may need to add a rating scale (1..5) or

adjust to other parameters.

Handout (con’t)

2 WAYS TO MAXIMIZE CLASSROOM LAYOUT FOR ACTIVITY BREAKS 1. Plan for students to do "stand-up/in-place" breaks at their desks. No physical changes to

classroom but cue students to stand-up, spin around once "create a bubble" and move within that space.

2. Utilize this suggested layout from the "Get 60 Minutes" 2014 IOM Report. Get 60 Minutes: Ways for students to get the recommended amount of physical activity

during the school day - Copyright © 2014 National Academy of Sciences, The Institute of Medicine (IOM)

1 SHOW THE KIDS WHY - HEALTH LITERACY

This is a hot topic for today's students. Understanding the connection between healthy bodies (physical activity & nutrition) and academic performance is key. Dedicate one small space on your classroom wall to this topic - post interesting graphics and one-liners. You can even encourage kids to bring in articles for an extra credit point!

Partnership for 21st Century Skills core theme: Health Literacy

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Sharing Ideas!

Thank You!

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